By Bibeka Shrestha

After a spirited campaign, Republican Del. Ben Cline hammered political newcomer Democrat David Cox Tuesday with 65 percent of the vote. This marks Cline's third district win since 2002.

“Until the last two hours, I’ve had the time of my life,” Democrat David Cox said among friends and family in his concession speech in his Lexington home. “I had a wonderful time and met people of every kind all over the district,” Cox said. “I would not have given it up for anything.”

Cline celebrated from the Republican Election Day party in Lynchburg. “I’m very humbled and privileged to be selected by the voters to represent them and their values.”

The representative is ready for his next term, he said.
“I’m looking forward to preparing a legislative agenda for the next session. I want to hit the ground running when the session convenes in January,” he said.

Despite defeat, Cox’s attitude was optimistic. “Ben has won convincingly, but we need to help keep him honest,” Cox said. “We can go out with heads held high and proud of the message we proclaimed.”

Cline thought this year’s campaign was “a little quieter” than previous elections. He first won the 24th District seat when he replaced Republican House Speaker Vance Wilkins in a special election in 2002, defeating Democrat Mimi Elrod. Just one year later, Cline beat Independent Eric Sheffield with 65 percent of the vote.

Before his election in 2002, he worked as Congressman Bob Goodlatte’s chief of staff.

Cox had no political experience, but hoped his involvement with the Lexington community would help him win. He is a retired rector of Robert E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church in Lexington and former chaplain of both Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute

Before Election Day, Cox and Cline were involved in two forums and three debates in the district, including one in Lexington.
Cox said that though there were joint appearances in September, he wished Cline hadn’t avoided them in October, when more people are interested in the election. “He could not be found [in October],” Cox said. “He said he didn’t have time.”

Cline defended himself by saying candidates have to do more than just debate: “At some point, you have to stop debating and start getting out and talking to people,” he said.

According to the Virginia Public Access Project’s website, Cline raised about $110,000 for this year’s campaign. Cox obtained a total of $121,000.

The most donations for both campaigns came from Richmond and Lexington as well as the political sector.

Cline and Cox spent most of the money on political consultants and staff, about $17,000 and $35,000 respectively. But there was a difference in each candidate’s second highest expenditure. Cline spent a little more than $17,000 on direct mail, printing and postage while Cox donated approximately $33,000 to state and local Democratic committees.

Cline is a member of several committees in the state legislature, including the Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns, the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety.

Before running for office, Cox played a major role in organizing Kendal at Lexington, a retirement community. He currently serves on several Kendal boards, including the corporation’s national board.

The major issues in this year’s campaign were congestion and accidents on I-81, jobs, development, taxes and unfunded mandates.

Cline was satisfied with the way the campaign was run. "You always want to knock on one more door, shake one more hand, raise one more dollar," he said. "But you do all you can with the time you've got."

Cox said he was also pleased with the campaign as a whole. He plans to continue working on his book about Robert E. Lee. But for now, Cox said he just wants to get a good night's rest.

Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.

Lead supervisor:      Prof. Claudette Artwick

Reporting supervisor: Prof. Doug Cumming

Editing supervisor:  Prof. Pamela Luecke

Technical supervisor:  Michael Todd